Snowplow



Dec. 10, 1929. R. E. CHOATE SNOWPLOW Filed Sept. 1. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 suowPLow Filed Se t. 1. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 10,1929

no? n. (Home, or cnmm narrns, rows SNOWPLOW 'Application filed September 1, 1927. Serial No. 216,842.

venient and efficient implement for the designatedpurpose and for uses analagous thereto. a

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a side view imperspective illustrating the invention as applied to a motor-truck of a familiar type. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the plow and its connected yoke. Fig. 3 is a plan viewof the same detached, the derrick being in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of the pushing frame as seen from the inner side. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the same as seen from the left end.

In the drawing the numeral 5 denotes a motor-truck, theforward parts of which only are shown. It has a front axle 6 and wheels controlled by a steering-wheel 7 The main chassis frame 8 is carried usuagy by springs 9, and supports the body 10 an radiator 11. In the different makes of motor-trucks there isquitea wide variation in structure, and to adapt the snow-plow structure to the different trucks account must be taken of differing sizes of wheels shape. of front axle; disposition of obstructing structures under the chassis frame, as well as its size; height, length and general shape of the radiator, and'other details, in order to produce a unitary structure to be readily attached to the various motor-.

trucks in general use, and without the help of a machinist.

The plow or scraper and its immediate connections, which will be described hereafter, are carried by a supporting push-frame attached to and slung under thechassis frame of the truck. The push-frame is essentially a pair of bars 3 attached at the rear to sides of the chassis frame, and projecting forwardly of the front axle and radiator to connect with the thrust member of the scraper. In practice, however, each bar 3 is provided with a fellow bar 3", and both are pierced with holes 3 for connecting bolts 3. This makes it possible to adjust thelength of the pushbars to all the varying conditions in the sizes and structure of different trucks, lengths varying sometimes as much as three feet or more.

The main thrust of the push-bars is borne by a cross shaft 4 to which the rear ends of the bars are attached, as by clamping heads 4. The shaft is carried by bearing-plates 12 securcd-to the sides of the chassis frame by clamp-plates 13 and bolts 14. The bearingplates are slotted at 13 so as to be attached to frames of any depth. The bearing-plates are also provided with a plurality of holes 13 for the cross-shaft, so, that its position vertically may be adjusted as desired. The rear ends of the push-bars'being bent upwardly at 3, it is possible under all conditions to carry the bodies of the the push-bars level, or practically so, and this makes it possible to lengthen or shorten the bars without changing their angle to the horizontal. The crossshaftis held in place by set-collars 15. y

The push-bars are supported forwardly by stirrups connecting them to the front axle. A simple and well-known type'of stirrup connection is indicated in Fig. 1. The preferred construction, however, is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case the angled push-bars are enclosed by short sleeves 16, and these are supported by hangers 17 clamped by their flanged upper ends to the axle by stirrup-bolts 18. Lugs 19 straddling the hangers prevent the displacement of the sleeves. Preferably .they hang a little distance'below the axle,

which permits the chassis .to move up and down on its springs, and. also allows some vertical movement of the axle, without affecting the action of the scraper to any considerable extent. It will be noted that the sleeves are slightly bell-shaped internally, and this permits the push-bars to rock and twist unthe rear end of the radiator, and is provided with a suitable hand-wheel 25 accessible to the driver of the truck. Provision is made for adjusting the height of the winch on the derrick, by shifting its bearings 26-27 in bolt-holes in the sides of the derrick uprights. Provision is also made for raising and lowerin the whole derrick arch, by forming the si e-posts of two parts, pierced with many bolt-holes, and bolting the parts together at any desired elevation. This is made necessary by the fact that truck radiators vary greatly in height and shape, and it is desirable to keep the height of the winch in proper relation to the height of the bearing 24. The arch of the derrick carries a pair of sheaves 28 for a hoisting-chain 29 whose ends are attached to the winch-shaft.

To the front faces of the uprights 20 are secured channels 30 pierced with many holes 30. 0 these are connectedby pins 31 the legs of a carrying yoke or bail 32. This has a front carrying plate 33 secured to the legs,

itengages by means of washer. against and laterally expanded in front to receive pinholes 33 to register with similar holes 34 in a swivel-head 34. Each has a rearwardly disposed pin-hole, 33 and 34*, respectively, for a pivot or king-pin 35. Pins 35* serve for the forward holes. These are doubled, partly for the sake of additional strength, and partly to miss the centrally disposed compression spring 36 which holds the plow-blade in working position. The advantage of this construction of the yoke and swivel-head adjustments will appear presently.

The swivel-head carries forwardly a transverse beam 37 providedwith-a series of forwardly and downwardly extending knees 37 which are hinged to ribs 38 secured to the rear of the plow blade 39 and between reinforcing angle-bars 40. A bracket 41 receives the front end of a pull-rod 42 which passes through an upstanding lug 43 of the swivelhead, and thence through the spring 36, which a terminal nutand This normally holds the blade back the abutments 37 but allows the upper part of the blade to swing forwardly when the working edge strikes a hard obstruction.

The important practical advantage to be had from the pivotal construction of the swivel-head and yoke above described bed is to eliminate much of the side-thrust on the motor vehicle when the plow'is turned at an angle. It is evident that this thrust, varying of course under differing conditions, is in a ment.

diagonal line somewhere between the direct line of advance and a line perpendicular thereto, and thatsuch thrust operates on a shorter lever with respect to the vehicle the farther back it is placed. A further advantage is in the relatively greater lateral swing of the plow, at any given angle, than if the pivot is disposed near the plow. This of course admits of a wider side-sweep, and With less angle to the plow, and the lesser angle itself makes for less side thrust.

Referring to the channels 30, above mentioned, the many hinge-holes for the legs of the yoke make it possibleto shift the angle of the plow-blade, as working conditions may require, pitching the blade forwardly-at the top to roll the snow forwardly, or allowing it to flow backwardly, with a less inclination of the plow. The main purpose is, however, to permit the raising and lowering of the plow bodily, without any change of angle, so, that deep snow may be plowed in successive benches, and finished at the ground level.

To relieve the brought to bear upon them, especially when the plow is turned at an angle, a strut 44 is provided, to serve as a brace and tie-rod. This connects detachably by pins 45 with stirrup-lugs 46 and 47 attached to the yoke and channel-beam respectively. For other positions of the plow longer or shorter struts are provided.

I claim:

1. Combined with the chassis of a motor truck, and snow-plow pushed thereby, a pair of push-bars attached midway of the chassis, and forwardly. connecting operatively with a snow-plow, front-axle supports for said bars, including bar-enclosing sleeves and hangers holdingsaid sleeves immovably laterally or endwise, but free to move a limited distance vertically with respect tothe axles.

2. A support for the forward ends of motor-vehicle ush-bars, comprising sleeves enclosing said bars, hangers to support the sleeves, below the front axle of the truck, and permit a limited vertical movement, means to prevent e'ndwise movement of the sleeves in the hangers, and stirrups to clamp the hangers to the axle.

3. A 'front-axle-support for. motor-vehicle push'bars, comprising bell-mouthed sleeves enclosing said bars, hangers for said sleeves adapted to permit vertical movement thereof, and stirrups connecting the hangers with said axle. v

4. Combined with the push bars of an implement-pushing motor-vehicle, a derrick rigidly connecting with said bars, and vertically' disposed channel members secured to said derrick, said channels being provided with multiple pin-holes for adjustable connection wih a forwardly disposed impleyoke andswivel-head of much of the strain that.would otherwise be 5. Combined with supports carried by a motor-vehicle, a vertically swinging yoke hinged to said supports, an implement sup-' portin swivel-head horizontally turnable on the yo e on a rearwardly disposed pivot, and means disposed forwardly thereof in an arc to engage the swivel head and yoke at various angles.

6. Combined with supports carried by a motor vehicle, a vertically swingable yoke, a horizontallyturnable swivel-head carried by the yoke, a transverse-beam carried by said head, forwardly and downwardly extending knees projecting from the beam, a scraper hinged to said knees, and a spring to hold the scraper normally to working position.

7. Combined with push-bars and a conneoted derrick carried by a motor-truck, a

yoke connecting rearwardly with and Vertically adjustable on the derrick, a scrape'r horizontally swingable on the yoke, a winch carried by the derrick, lift-chains connecting the scraper with the winch, and means accessible to the truck driver for operating the winch.

8. Combined with supports carried by a motor-vehicle, a Vertically swingable yoke, a

horizontally turnable swivel-head carried thereby, a transverse beam secured to said head, knees extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, and a scraper havin rear ribs pivoted to the lower ends of the ees and abutting the upper ends in normal position.

9. Combined with supports carried by a motor-vehicle, a vertically swingable yoke, a swivel-head turnable on the yoke, an implement-bearing beam secured to the swivel head forwardly, lugs on the beam and yoke respectively, and a strut engaging said lugs to brace .saidbeam.

In testimony whereofI aflix my signature.

ROY E. CHOATE. 

